Tuesday, February 19, 2013

There are many notable things about Tam O'Shanter in Atwater Village. It's one of the very few Scottish restaurants in town (although some restaurant guide sites will list it under "Irish") and it is also the oldest restaurant in LA that's been constantly owned by a single family (established in 1922 by Lawry's). They were there when Atwater Village had nothing.

Now it no longer functions as an inn, but the restaurant maintains its old world charm.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays they also hold Trivia Nights at the bar area hosted by Geeks Who Drink, so I came in to try my hand at trivia while trying out Tam's for the first time. While waiting for the trivia to start, we had some drinks. The Moscow Mule is quite popular here, served in these cool mugs with Cock & Bull ginger beer, and a deal at $7.

The beer list at Tam's is actually quite good as well, with the recently revamped bar. There are 11 beers on draft featuring Brouwerij West, Stone, Great Divide, etc, and quite a few bottled beers.

So, the trivia is done by filling out your answers in these papers each round. Eating LA and I had such a hard time with just the two of us on our team. I didn't get any of the sports questions right! Pat did much better with the music and film questions, but I was jut pretty much useless.

There are two teams who apparently go every week and they tend to take first and second place each time. Next time I'll bring a bigger and more well rounded team!

The Ale & Sandwich Bar area serves a different menu but you can still get items from the main dining room. I had the Toad in the Hole ($24)

This was cuts of filet mignon cooked in burgundy sauce with cipollini onions,
crimini, button and oyster mushrooms. I love yorkshire puddings and I really liked the one here, it's just eggy and fluffy enough. The filet mignon was quite tender also.

Pat got the fish and chips ($18), which uses beer battered halibut.

I ordered some fries topped with Scotch Rarebit, a mixture of Cheddar cheese, Belhaven Scottish Ale and cayenne pepper

It was rather weird at first, but strangely addictive .. couldn't stop eating ..

More cocktails: I also tried the Braveheart with Glenlivet, lemon, ginger, and honey ($11).

For dessert, Sticky Toffee Pudding ($7). It was very rich and sweet! I loved it but couldn't eat the whole thing on my own.

Tam O'Shanter was simply charming and a fun place to hang out. The history and ambiance, the lovable old waiters and managers who have worked there for decades, the fun trivia nights. I don't know why I haven't been here before but I'm glad I visited and will be back with some friends.